HOW TO TAME ANXIETY.
Friend and fellow autistic, Yenn Purkis, shared a blog post the other day, that was in turn shared by Spectrumy. Some of the responses to it were despicable, with one person accusing people of telling lies regarding Autism (we don't see it as a disorder, just as a neurological variation, but these respondents accuse us of lying) and another talked about how they'd take a c word that rhymes with manure in an instant.
My way of dealing with anxiety, as well as medication, involves two things, both involving autism strengths. As readers of my posts know, a Hansonite utopia could not be more dystopic for me. I reflected that my ultimate dystopia would involve not having anything Japan related in my life, even right down to a car. I drive my father's old Falcon at times, and I have found that bringing it into my comfort zone as made me happier about driving it, because, a) Henry Ford was autistic, and b) in a move sure to make his grandson's blood pressure soar, it has KYB Shock Absorbers on the rear and will be getting them on the front. That's not overcoming autism, it's using autism positively. Also, I find that having my special interests gives me solace. And special interests can be many and varied.
A few weeks ago, my brother made the statement that, wait for it, medicinal marijuana could help autism, and my mother has sometimes called out when she's seen stories about it on the television. Some of the results are overstated, and I said to my mother that it could not be more disadvantageous to my mental health to use it, even if it had any benefits. Why? Well, you can't drive with medicinal marijuana in your system and spending time with Shigemi is something that helps deal with anxiety. And, I have said that if I had to part with Shigemi, I would need not one but FOUR pairs of Japanese Kaihara denim jeans that were made in Japan. I have my spectacle frames and my watch, but I would need three Japanese things to have on me in that case. My mother would tell me I was being stupid, but I know the truth. And driving is something that I value as it gives me independence.
The best psychologist I have encountered is Professor Tony Attwood, as he believes that you draw on an autistic person's special interests to deal with anxiety and depression and I say that, as well as medication, the other best therapies you can have are spending time with your special interests, be that painting model figurines for medieval battles, be it reading about history, science or whatever, or spending time with your car or 4WD. It also shows that you have a talent and you can be validated by saying, "See, you didn't think your life was worthwhile, but look at your talent for this."
I would even say to autistic people who have agoraphobia that if you have an assistance animal or, a type of special interest, take that along with you. Okay, I couldn't have taken Nutsy with me to go out, but I find having my Japanese spectacles, my Japanese watch, and two Chinese garments, be they even just my underpants and socks, give me a feeling of confidence to be able to go out. And even if you are 40-something and take a doll with you, if you're not hurting anyone, then those around you should keep their opinions to themselves.